Flash Flood Forecasting Using Integrated Meteorological–Hydrological–Hydraulic Modeling: Application in a Mediterranean River

Abstract

This study aims at assessing meteorological, hydrological, and hydraulic modeling to develop a flash flood forecasting tool. The flash flood that occurred in the Evrotas River Basin (ERB) on 26 January 2023 is used as a case study. Precipitation over 150 mm and water depths exceeding 2.5 m were recorded. The meteorological model initialized one day before flooding and simulated precipitation; the hydrological model, using meteorological input data, simulated discharge; and the hydraulic model, using discharge, estimated water depth at a bridge. The results indicate that the system can provide skillful and timely flash flood forecasts, thereby facilitating flood warnings.

Keywords

• heavy rainfall
• discharge
• hydrograph
• atmospheric modeling
• NWP
• hydrometeorology